A source of strength when it matters most! A special feature on proverbs and quotes about disaster preparedness

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked for 10 years as a kindergarten teacher and for 7 years as an after-school childcare instructor, then took a post as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I also engaged in activities that shared Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational play, working with many children. Afterwards, through freelance writing, planning, and editing work at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and conveying ideas. Leveraging the perspective cultivated in educational settings and my experience as an editor, I aim to deliver practical information—focusing on fields related to music and children—that values both input and output. Hobbies include instruments, singing, handcrafts, toys, drawing, traditional play, the outdoors, books, DIY, and crafts. Special skill: spinning-top tricks.

Many of you have probably heard the saying, “Preparedness averts worry.” In fact, few people know that it originates from the ancient Chinese classic, the Book of Documents (Shujing).

In this way, our predecessors left many more words of wisdom about disaster preparedness.

In Japan, where natural disasters are common, age-old proverbs about disaster prevention still serve as vital lessons that protect lives today.

Tsunamis, earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rain…

Here are some long-passed-down proverbs on disaster preparedness to help you protect yourself from these hazards.

You’re sure to find hints that will heighten your awareness of disaster readiness.

A Source of Strength in Times of Need! A Collection of Proverbs and Quotes About Disaster Preparedness (11–20)

Prepare pessimistically, act optimistically.Kazuo Inamori

Let me introduce a famous quote left by Kazuo Inamori: “Prepare pessimistically, act optimistically.” Kazuo Inamori was a Japanese entrepreneur and engineer.

He founded Kyocera and Daini Denden, which is now KDDI, and served as chairman of the Inamori Foundation, a public-interest incorporated foundation.

He was also honorary chairman of Japan Airlines.

In the planning stage, with a strong will that says, “No matter what, we must accomplish this,” one should reexamine the plan with a pessimistic eye; then, in the execution stage, with the confidence that “We can definitely do it,” one should carry it out optimistically—brightly and with dignity.

Doesn’t this conviction also apply to disaster preparedness?

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If you prepare for the worst, there’s no harm in hoping for the best.Stephen King

Life is full of uncertainties, which is precisely why preparing for the worst matters.

By anticipating and preventing the worst-case scenarios, we can keep moving toward the best possible outcome.

It conveys that pursuing ideals is important, but so is preparing for the situations that could undermine them.

This quote encourages a balanced perspective between ideals and reality, guiding us toward steady, reliable progress.

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He who fails to prepare is preparing to fail.Benjamin Franklin

This is a famous quote by Benjamin Franklin—remembered as a Founding Father in the United States—about the importance of preparation.

It’s a saying that corrects the attitude of those who neglect to prepare, conveying that failing to prepare sets the stage for failure.

By deliberately expressing in a roundabout way that preparation is essential to avoid failure, it even evokes a sense of fear about failing.

The words also suggest that, to prevent all kinds of failures, it’s important to prepare broadly and thoroughly.

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I can imagine that many people are still struggling emotionally and mentally. So let’s keep supporting one another.Lady Gaga

This is a message Lady Gaga sent to the disaster-affected areas in 2021, ten years after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

It shows her affection for Japan by acknowledging that recovery is still not complete even after so much time, and that emotional support is still needed.

By standing firmly with those who are suffering and grieving while encouraging them to move forward, she gives many people courage and strength.

It also conveys the impression of a message that we must not let the passage of time erode or fade the memory of their pain.

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There are no coincidences in life. Don’t run away by blaming others or luck—let’s keep building our strength little by little.Kazu Miura

These are words from Kazu Miura that convey the idea that the difficulties we face in life are not a matter of chance or luck, and that it’s important to always be prepared.

They express the belief that if we recognize that everyone is destined to face hardships and build up our strength for them, we can overcome any challenge.

There’s also a message that blaming luck or others won’t lead to true strength, so it’s vital to accept reality and keep moving forward.

These words also reveal a determination to stay true to oneself and press on with strength, no matter the circumstances.

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In conclusion

Proverbs about disaster preparedness are filled with the wisdom and lessons of our predecessors. These sayings continue to convey timeless truths even today. Why not incorporate them into your daily life and use them as a starting point for discussing disaster preparedness with your family? Everyday preparation will surely become a vital strength when the time comes.